Fluorescent lighting fixture



May 6,- 1952 R. M. RUNGE ETAL FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 26, 1948 3 E RG 2% N M m M We V n N w mw A %Z YB May 6, 1952 R. M. RUNGE ETAL 2,595,487

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 26, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 May 6,1952 R. M. RUNGE EI'AL FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 26, 1948 INVENTOR Fla/420M. Pun/ '5 av SII/PzEVH/VnrsM/T/I 7ATTORNEY May 6, 1952 R. M. RUNGE ETAL FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE FiledMay 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR S RICHARD M.

TTORNEY May 6, 1952 R. M. RUNGE ET AL 2,595,487

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEY May 6, 1952 R. M. RUNGE ETAL FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 26, 1948 INVENTO R 5 F/c/m/w M- Pu/vas QM BYSH/PLEVA? Mays/wry /z/ 26f. 6/4.

ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1952 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Richard M.Runge and Shirley R. Naysmith,

Meriden, Conn.,- assignors to The Miller Company, Meriden, Conn., acorporation of Connecticut Application May 26, 1948, Serial No. 29,236

The present invention relates to fluorescent lighting fixtures and ismore particularly directed toward industrial and commercial lightingfixtures of the type employing wiring troughs or channels and detachablereflectors.

It has heretofore been customary in the manufacture of fluorescentlighting fixtures and lighting equipment to provide a metal wireway orchannel of the length corresponding with lamp length or of the length oftwo lamps or slightly longer than such lengths, and to completely wireand test these wireways or channels at the factory before shipment. Suchprewired channels carry a number of fluorescent lamp sockets or holderswhich in normal use project below the mouth or opening in the channel soas to pass through the cover or reflector to be secured to the channeland support the lamps inside the reflector or below the channel cover.

The lamp sockets or lamp holders are made of insulating material andowing to the general custom of having such lamp holders project belowthe wiring channel, they have been subject to substantial damage in thehandling of the fixture before packaging and in shipment. When a lampsocket or holder is broken or damaged, repairs or replacements of thebroken socket must be effected before the fixture can be hung or put inservice. The protection of these projecting sockets or holders requireselaborate packing and larger packages than would be the case if thesockets were not exposed or so vulnerable.

The present invention contemplates improvements in such fluorescentlighting equipment according to which the wiring channel can becompletely prewired at the factory and tested, after which the sockets,together with their mountings may be detached as units from the wiringchannel and shifted to positions such that the units are completelyhoused within the confines of the wiring channel. The wiring channelthen completely protects these fragile parts so that there is nolikelihood of damage in handling or shipment. As the wiring can becompleted and tested there is no likelihood of fixtures erroneouslyconnected appearing at the point of installation.

The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustrating the presentinvention, several embodiments in which the. invention may take form, itbeing understood that the drawings are illustrativeof the inventionrather than limiting thesame,

Figure 1 is an inverted perspective view illus- 11. Claiins. (01.240-5111) trating the ballast, sockets, socket carrying straps andwiring, preassembled and out of the wiring channel, the lamp socketsbeing of the type which support the starter socket and of the size usedfor T-12 lamps;

Figure 2 is an inverted perspective view illustrating the wiringchannel;

Figure 3 is a similar perspective view showing the channel with ballastinstalled and wiring and sockets positioned in the channel for shipment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of the wiring channel at alarger scale, omitting the wiring, and showing the sockets and socketmounting secured to a channel carried strap in place for receiving thereflector and then the lamps;

Figure 5-is a perspective view showing the socket carrying strap ormounting and sockets separated from the channel carried strap;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the socket carrying strap or mounting;

Figure '7 is an elevation taken in the direction of arrow 1 of Fig. 4showing the socket mounting in elevation;

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an arrangement for use withmetal backed sockets;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Fig. 2;

Figures 11 and 12 are sections on lines H-ll and l2-l2 respectively ofFig. 10- showing the sockets and mounting positioned in the channel forshipment;

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a mounting arranged for one,two, or three lamp sockets, the starters being all at the other end ofthe fixture;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top plan view of a'wiring channel with thethree-socket straps in position for shipment;

Figure 15 is an end view of a wiring channel with sockets in normalposition taken in the direction of the arrow ill of Figs. 13 and 16;

Figure lfiis a section on line [6-46 of Fig. 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement for twolamps, one starter being at each end'of the fixture;

Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of an arrangement for a singlelamp;

Figure 20 is an invertedperspective view of a wireway arranged forcarrying 100 watt equipment;

.. Figures 21 and 22 are perspective views illustrating thearrangementsforw l pporting the 3 watt lamp sockets and the combined lamp socketsand starter sockets respectively;

Figure 23 is an enlarged view illustrating a detail of Figures 21 and22;

Figure 24 is a longitudinal section on line 24-24 of Figures 22 and 25showing assembly of parts at the starter end of the channel;

Figure 25 is a transverse sectional view on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Figure 26 is a perspective view showing assembly of parts at theopposite end;

Figures 27 and 28 are views illustrating the 100 watt sockets and socketcarrying straps in position for shipment;

Figures 29 and 30 are perspective views illustrating a harnessarrangement and wiring channel for push contact, twin lamp holders orsockets;

Figure 31 is a perspective view of an end of the wiring channel andsocket mounting; and

Figure 32 is a cross-section illustrating the position of the socket forshipment.

In Figures 1 through 8, inclusive, an inverted channel-shaped wirewaygenerally similar to that shown in Patent No. 2,321,099 is illustratedat 40. In the arrangement of these figures, the wireway is slightlylonger than the nominal lamp length of the lamps to be employed. Itcarries reinforcing straps 4| and 42. The strap 4| is nearer the flanges46' in the channel than the strap 42. The straps 4| and 42 are providedwith non-removable, headed screws 43-43, with slots or notches 44 ontheir outer or remote edges, and slots or notches 45 at their inneredges.

Each unit length of wiring channel carries a conventional fluorescentlamp ballast 46 secured to posts or bolts 41 in the usual manner. Theballast is connected through Wiring indicated at 48 with a pair offluorescent lamp sockets 49-49 of the non-starter type which sockets arein turn secured by screws 50 to socket mountings 5| shown in detail inFig. 6. The socket mounting 5| is made of sheet metal, it has upwardlybent flanges 52 and is notched at 53-53 on the same spacing as thescrews 43. It has notches 54 above the notches 44 of strap 4| and thesealigned notches are available to accommodate the prongs (not shown)which project down from the conventional lamp holders. The mounting 5|is downwardly and inwardly flanged as indicated at 55 so as to fit aboutthe inner edge of the reinforcing strap 4| as more clearly shown in Fig.8. The mounting screws 50 for the sockets are threaded into holes 56 inthe mounting strap 5|, the notches 45 in the strap 4| providingclearance. The mounting thus insures the proper spacing of the sockets.When the mounting 5| is to be secured in place on the strap 4| thescrews 43 are loosened, the mounting strap 5| moved to the right asshown in Figs. 4 and 5 so that the flanges 52 pass under the heads ofthe screws 43, whereupon these screws may be tightened to secure thesocket mounting strap 5| in place. The engagement of the screwheads andflange 52 insure proper spacing of the mountings from one another.

The Wires 51 coming from the other end of the ballast 46 are taken tocombined lamp sockets and starter sockets indicated at 58-58 which aresecured to socket mounting straps 5| like those at the other end of thefixture and these straps may be secured to the reinforcing straps in thesame way.

The wiring of the ballast and sockets and the securement of the socketsto the socket mountvenient manner, as for example, by Z-shaped wiremembers 60 which engage in the beads of the wiring channel and overliethe Wires.

The wiring channel is generally provided with some form of reflector orcover support, such as posts 6l-6l illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Theseposts are completely within the wiring channel so that when the socketsand mountings have been secured in position for shipment nothingprojects beyond the stiffening flanges along the edges of the wiringchannel.

The forms of construction illustrated in Figs. 9 to 16 inclusive aregenerally similar to that shown and described in Figs. 1 to 9 exceptthat they are designed for use with metal backed lamp sockets, and withstarter sockets independent of the lamp sockets. The present inventionalso makes it possible to install equipment having some sections ofwiring channel with lighting equipment and others with merely thereinforcing straps and covers. Should an increase in lighting equipmentbe later required, harnesses may be installed when a cover is removed,and. the cover may be replaced by a reflector.

Figures 9 to 12 relate to arrangements for two lamps side by side, whileFigs. 13 to 16 relate to arrangements having three lamps side by side.Here the wireway 65, similar to the wireway 46 carries reinforcingstraps 66-66 which are alike and properly spaced. The straps 65-66 carryheaded screws 61. The ballast 68 and wiring 69-10 are similar to'thoseabove described. The wires, however, are connected in this instance tofluorescent lamp sockets 1|, of the type designed to be secured to metalbacks 12, and to starter sockets 11. These metal backs are struck upfrom socket mounting straps 13 or 13' having flanges 14 to fit aboutreinforcing straps 66 and elongated holes 15 with large and small endsto fit about the screws 61. One of the straps 13 is welded to asupplemental plate 16 on which are secured the starter sockets 11. Withthese types of construction the prewiring of ballast and sockets andsecuring of the sockets to the mounting straps is done at the bench, theparts assembled in the wireway (tested as before), whereupon the socketsand mountings may be secured in position for shipment as illustrated inFigs. 11, 12 and 14.

Figure 17 illustrates a form of construction which employs certainfeatures of the forms previously described. Here the wireway carriesreinforcing straps 8| provided with screws 82 similar to those abovedescribed. The sockets 83 of the metal back type, are secured to socketmountings 84 having brackets 85 for the'sockets. The mounting straps 84have flanges 86 and slots 81 similar to the flanges and slots 52 and 53so that the mounting strap 84 can be secured to the reinforcing strap'8|. The strap 84 has an extension 88 to receive the starter socket 89.A two lamp fixture would employ Want the mountings 84. In this case thestarter sockets would be at opposite ends of the fixture. Thearrangements shown in Figures 18 and 19 is similar to that shown in Fig.17 except that the mounting strap 84' is designed to carry but one lampsocket 83.

Where the fixtures are to employ slim-line lamps, suitable sockets areto be used and at spacings suitable for such lamps.

The arrangement shown in Figures 20 to 28, inclusive, is designed forheavier duty fixtures employing 100 watt lamps. Here the wireway 90 isprovided with stifiening end plates 9| and carries cross straps 92-92and 9393. The cross straps 93 carry bolts 94 by which the reflector canbe secured in place. The straps 92 are provided with screws 95. Twoforms of socket mountings are employed as. shown; at 95 and 91. Eachsocket mounting has an'elongated hole 98 with upstruck stop members 99(see Figure 23) by which the socket mounting can be secured to the strap92 by the screw 95 and infolded edges as indicated at 96' and 9'1, Figs.2'7 and 28. The mountings 96 and 9'! have brackets I to support theusual 100 watt lamp sockets IUI. The socket mounting 96 has an extensionH32 provided with apertures I03 to accommodate the starters I04 whichare secured to the lamp sockets IIII in the usual manner. With thisconstruction the two starters are at one end of the fixture as shown inFigs. 22, 24, 25, and 28, and the other end of the fixture has merelythe lamp sockets, as shown in Figs. 21, 26 and 2'7.

In Figure 29, a wiring harness for two lamps with a push contact, twinlamp holder or socket is illustrated. The usual ballast III], is wiredas usual to the combined socket-starter socket units III. To each ofthese units III two mounting brackets H2 are welded. These bracketsextend away from the contact face of the socket unit and have elongatedholes I I3 with enlarged ends. The wireway H4 has welded reinforcingplates H5 with platforms II 5' above the level of the wireway flanges.Each platform carries screws I I 6 adapted to enter the holes I I3 andsecure the socket units in place. The platform also has holes H1 and H8which insure against grounding of the binding posts by which the wiresare secured to the socket terminals. For purposes of shipment, thesocket unit is removed from the cross strap and temporarily securedinside the channel as shown in Fig. 32.

Since it is obvious that the invention may be embodied in other formsand constructions within the scope of the claims, we wish it to beunderstood that the particular forms shown are but a few of these forms,and various modifications and changes being possible, we do nototherwise limit ourselves in any way with respect thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluorescent fixture, in combination, a pre-assembledfluorescent-lamp-circuit wiringharness including fluorescent lamp andstarter sockets, rigid mountings to which the sockets are secured, onemounting for each end of the fixture, a ballast, and wiringinterconnecting the ballast and sockets; an inverted wiring channel inwhich the ballast is secured and completely housed; a pair of transversechannel-reinforcing straps in the channel; means for detachably securingthe socket mountings to the reinforcing straps and thereby locating thelamp sockets in downwardly projecting, inwardly facing, lamp receivingposition where they project below the channel so as to be unprotected bythe channel and subject to damage; and means to support the detachedsocket mountings with sockets attached thereto '6 completely housedwithin the wiring channel and in protected position.

2. A fluorescent fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socketmounting securing means include clamping screws carried by thereinforcing straps and the mountings have openings elongated in thedirection of the length of the channel and adapted to receive the screwswhen unloosened and to permit sliding of the mountings to position themwhereupon the screws may be tightened to secure the mountings in place.

3. A fluorescent fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socketmountings are in the form of straps with infolded edges along the sidetoward the ballast and receiving the edges of the reinforcin straps.

4. A fluorescent fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socketmountings are in the form of straps with infolded edges along the sidetoward the ballast and receiving the edges of the reinforcing straps,and the socket mounting securing means include clamping screws carriedby the reinforcing straps and the mountings have openings elongated inthe direction of the length of the channel and adapted to receive thescrews when unloosened and to permit sliding of the mountings toposition them whereupon the screws may be tightened to.secure themountings in place.

5. A fluorescent fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcingstraps are spaced above the lower edges'of the channel and the socketshave bases'secured to the mountings and occupying space provided by theelevated reinforcing straps.

6. A fluorescent fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcingstraps are spaced above the lower edges of the channel and the socketshave bases secured to the mountings and occupying space provided by theelevated reinforcing straps, wherein the socket mountings are in theform of straps with infolded edges along the side toward the ballast andreceiving the edges of the reinforcing straps and the socket mountingsecuring means include clamping screws carried by the reinforcing strapsand the mountings have openings elongated in the direction of the lengthof the channel and adapted to receive the screws when unloosened and topermit sliding of the mountings to position them whereupon the screwsmay be tightened to secure the mountings in place.

'7. A combined lighting unit and reflector support for direct lightingfluorescent lighting luminaires; comprising a preassembled wiringharness including two socket supporting straps, a fluorescent lampballast, fiuorescent lamp and starter sockets secured to the straps, andwiring interconnecting the sockets and ballast to provide a fluorescentlamp circuit and f a length to allow spacing the lamp sockets accordingto lamp length; an inverted trough shaped wiring channel havingreinforcing flanges along its lower edges and of a width and depth tocompletely receive the ballast and of at least nominal lamp length;reinforcing cross straps fixedly secured across the channel and spacedaccording to lamp length; channel carried reflector supports, means tosecure the ballast within the wiring channel midway between thereinforcing straps; means to detachably secure the socket carryingstraps to the reinforcing straps in position to space the lamp socketsaccording to lamp length, the reinforcing straps being located relativeto the channel mouth to dispose the lamp sockets in downwardlyprojecting, lamp receiving position'where they are unprotected by thechannel and subject to damage, and means to support the detached socketsupporting straps with sockets attached thereto within the wiringchannel in protected position for shipment.

8. In a, fluorescent lighting fixture, an inverted wiring channel havinga transversely extending reinforcing strap connecting the channel wallsintermediate the lower edges of the channel Walls and the web of thechannel and carrying a headed clamping screw, a pair of fluorescent lampsockets, a socket mounting to the lower face of which the sockets aresecured so that the mounting strap is above the sockets and the socketsare held at fixed spacings, the mounting strap having a hole elongatedin the direction of the channel and adapted to receive the screw whenunloosened and to permit sliding of the mountin to position it whereuponthe screw may be tightened to secure the mounting in place.

9. For use in a fluorescent lighting fixture having a wiring channelprovided with a sheet metal cross strap carrying a headed clampingscrew, a sheet metal strap, a lamp socket secured to the strap, thestrap along one edge having an infolded alignment flange providing atransversely extending channel of vertical depth to receive the crossstrap and an elongated opening at right angles to the direction of theflange for reception of the clamping screw.

10. The strap of claim 9, wherein the strap has a flange along theopposite edge through which the elongated opening extends so that thestrap may be slid past the loosened clamping screw.

11. The strap of claim 9, wherein the elongated opening is enlarged atthe end remote from the flange to accommodate the head of the clampingscrew.

RICHARD M. RUNGE. SHIRLEY R. NAYSMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,291,490 Naysmith July 28, 19422,295,788 Hoeveler Sept. 15, 1942 2,342,570 Biller Feb. 22, 19442,399,339 Foster Apr. 30, 1946 2,408,783 Kloner Oct. 8, 1946 2,434,781Kurtlzon Jan. 20, 1948 2,463,013 Beals, et a1. Mar. 1, 1949 2,437,468Naysmith Nov. 8, 1949

